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Friday, January 25, 2013

First of all, I am starting this blog so when I'm in London my family will know what I'm up to and so when I get back, I remember what I did!

I'll be studying for the month of July at Queen Mary University in the middle of London. I picked up my International Student ID today. It's all gone so fast. Last semester, I wanted to go but eventually, I just dropped it. Then, one day last week, I decided I wanted to go. Yesterday I turned in all of my forms. I'm ready to hop on a plane now, but if I did, I would miss the Justin Bieber concert the NIGHT BEFORE I board the plane to London. Timing couldn't have worked out better, though I'd have preferred if it was One Direction.

Hopefully I'll be taking Tudor-Stuart History, but if it doesn't have enough students, I'll take World War II History. Unfortunately and fortunately, the professors are all American. Some come from each university that participates in the study abroad program. Unfortunately because I won't have a professor with a beautiful British accent. Fortunately because I'll be able to understand my teacher.

This is a section of the campus. From what I've researched, it's beautiful!

One of my friends is also going, so luckily I won't be in London all alone with people who talk funny and dress up to go grocery shopping.

The dorm setup is interesting from what I've heard also. It's supposed to be "American" styled, but each flat has anywhere from six to ten-ish people in it. Each person has a private room and they're all connected by a full kitchen and a bathroom. I've never heard of an American dorm with a full kitchen.
I think I'll be utilizing that kitchen A LOT. I'm not a big spender, so as of now, I'm planning on buying stuff at Wal-Mart and eating at least one meal a week in. Maybe I'll buy a crockpot and make soup and eat on it for a week.

So far, I've compiled quite a list of things I plan on doing while I'm there.

King's Cross Station! I will fo'sho be there takingthe cliche picture in front of the trolley at Platform 9 3/4.

I am a HUGE Whovian, so I'll definitely be at the Doctor Who Experience museum.I've heard they film in July too, so who knows. Maybe I'll see me some Matt Smith or a frolicking Cyberman.

Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey. You have to book tickets WAYYYin advance, so I might go there with my mom at the end of the trip insteadof trying to coordinate the day to go with others going on the trip.

Buckingham Palace!The palace opens for tours the last week I'll be there, so hopefully I'll get to go.Sometimes I wish I was royalty. Oh, to live in a palace! Maybe I'll see the Queen! Do I courtesy or wave?How does one act around royalty? What if I see Prince William and Princess Kate in Wales?!

Both Cardiff and Highclere Castle are only two hours at most by train. Both are easily single day trips. I'll probably also take in a show or two while I'm there. My dream is to see Spamalot, so I'll probably see that. I will also find and take a picture of me in a red phone booth. I would obviously prefer it to be a blue police box, but you can't always get what you want.

Halfway through the study, I'll have a five day mini-break with no classes. We're able to travel Western Europe during that time. I could go to Ireland or Spain or Germany or France or Switzerland. The possibilities are almost endless!

The plan is, as of right now, for my mom and maybe my aunt to come at the end of my study and us three spend an extra week in England. A friend is also trying to convince me to take them to Paris. Apparently it's only a two hour train ride away!